The affable Newburyporter spent many years in public service; and prior to being mayor, he served three terms on the City Council, which included service as council president from 1974-78.Clearly, some sort of plaque is in order when an appropriate time has passed.
This was an era when neighborhoods were being restored, and plans for the waterfront were in development. His work among disparate stakeholders helped get projects done, observers remember.
Victor Tine, a long-time reporter with The Daily News, said that as a councilor, "He reached out to the Friends of the Waterfront and helped achieve some major advances, such as the creation of 'ways to the waterfront,'" a requirement that mandated any construction near the river allow for public access.
"He was a major factor in improvements relating to the central waterfront."
Bill Harris, an organizer of Friends of the Waterfront in the '70s, said, "Our group wanted access to the waterfront and Dick worked with us on it. It was his initiative (at City Hall) that helped us get it done."
Family members say that among his proudest accomplishments as mayor were the creation of the waterfront park, the construction of hundreds of units of elderly housing and laying the groundwork to purchase and protect land now known as Maudslay State Park.
Again, condolences to all his family and many friends.
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